Does anyone know if it is possible to find out if a person/company is VAT registered. I know I can check a VAT number to see if it is genuine but I need to look at it from the other end. That is someone trying to charge VAT without the number on the invoice. A the moment I a refusing to pay until I have it but I think there may be a scam!

Rules and procedures.
Disclosure of confidential VAT information (now Form 64-.
Rates of duty or tax.
Requests for publications, eg forms or notices.
Duplicate VAT Returns requests.
Contact details for an office in your area (this may depend upon the nature your query).
Unfortunately our advisors cannot deal with enquiries relating to case specific transactions. We are also unable to answer enquiries regarding:

Clearing an existing debt.
The progress of a VAT registration.
Specific import entry enquiries.
Matters arising from a visit by one of our officers (please contact the officer).
Enquiries relating to the former Inland Revenue enquiry helplines.
Enquiries related to Charities or Disabled Reliefs.

As someone who previously had a very small business, I can tell you that you cannot charge VAT if you are not VAT registered. You can include the VAT in the total price, but it cannot be broken out to show it as a seperate line item on the invoice.

You doo not have to register for VAT if turnover is less than £40,000 in the 1st year, if you expect te exceed that in the 1st and 2nd year of business then you must register for VAT. Then you will be able to charge VAT and also claim VAT back on goods purchased to provide the service.

OB, from my experience as a small business owner a few years ago, you dont have to be vat registered unless your annual turnover is >£50k. You still have to pay vat though on all your sales/services and in turn collect that vat from your customers. I did it without a vat number and the responsibility to forward the vat to the IR is with the company, not the customer. If you want to dob the company in because you suspect they are not paying vat to the IR then you will always find a listening ear at your local IR office.
Alternatively, ask them to knock the vat off for a quick deal

Does anyone know if it is possible to find out if a person/company is VAT registered. I know I can check a VAT number to see if it is genuine but I need to look at it from the other end. That is someone trying to charge VAT without the number on the invoice. A the moment I a refusing to pay until I have it but I think there may be a scam!

Click to expand...

If the invoice shows a VAT charge and there's no VAT number on the invoice then they're breaking the law. You're right - it's a scam.

Thank guys. I do know how the Vat system works. I can't go into too much detail & I'm not as far down the road as reporting them yet. I just want to check on the Company/individual. The internet throws up nothing & looking at VAT is next.
The scam I suspect may not only be for the VAT & it may be an attempt to rip off a charity!

Does anyone know if it is possible to find out if a person/company is VAT registered. I know I can check a VAT number to see if it is genuine but I need to look at it from the other end. That is someone trying to charge VAT without the number on the invoice. A the moment I a refusing to pay until I have it but I think there may be a scam!

Click to expand...

Oldbaldy

Just checked with my financial people on your behalf.

They say there should be a VAT reg no on the invoice/correspondence. Usually in 123 4567 89 format.
It is also usual to show the registered office address and the organisations registration number.

Sorry to be pedantic guys but I already know all the information you are giving me.

What I am looking at is a reverse look at VAT registration. Now this may be difficult as a Company can be registered in one name but trade in another.
If I had the VAT number it is easy & I have checked registration from a number with C&R before.